As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2018 women should also be reminded to take better care of their health.

Women in South Africa have the highest obesity rate leading to a multitude of lifestyle-related diseases that can be deadly. Cambridge Weight Plan, which provides flexible weight loss programmes for women and men globally believes women have the power to be “healthy lifestyle ambassadors” in their own families. “As women, we have phenomenal power to influence our children, our parents and extended family to make the right food choices,” says Menge Letsoalo, Business Manager at Cambridge Weight Plan. This is a responsibility that we can all take seriously.

Medical studies show that a healthy balanced diet can reverse some diseases. For instance, women with high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney problems, arthritis or colon problems will feel better and become healthier on a nutritious diet. Some may even experience 100% reversal of their symptoms.

Good Nutrition is one of the keys to a healthy life and eating a balanced diet is an important starting point. Cambridge Weight Plan assists women to make healthier choices with its recipe book which is jam-packed with scrumptious healthy meals, says Menge Letsoalo, Business Manager at Cambridge Weight Plan. “Not only that we offer a range of weight loss programmes which are flexible enough to fit in with your lifestyle, along with one-on-one support from your very own Cambridge Weight Plan consultant.”

Maintaining a healthy weight is often easier said than done, but a few simple tips can help says Letsoalo. “If you are currently overweight, focus initially on not gaining any more weight. This by itself can improve your health. Once you manage that you can start on losing the extra pounds.”

In South Africa today, women have become incredibly busy and are as equally under pressure to perform to high standards in their careers as their male equivalents. They are also held accountable for efficiently juggling their work lives with their home lives. Believe it or not, water can play an important role in women’s lives by preventing depression and fatigue.

Did you know? The feeling of thirst is our body telling us we are dehydrated. “We encourage women to drink water regularly on the Cambridge Weight Plan, especially because of our hot climate. We tend to be so caught up in our busy lifestyles that we forget to drink enough water. I carry a litre bottle of water with me wherever I go. That way I am sure to remain hydrated and refreshed,” says Letsoalo.

Few things are as good for you as a regular physical activity. “While it is sometimes difficult to find the time, it’s important to fit in some sort of activity in your day. Whether this is taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of driving,” says Letsoalo.

It is also important to remember to make time for rest despite the hustle and bustle of taking care of your family and being a working woman. “Getting the correct amount of quality sleep is essential to your ability to learn and process better. Sleep also helps restore your body’s energy, repair muscle tissue and triggers the release of hormones that affect growth and appetite.”